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Yes, they will argue that. But the idea that broadcast value is created by Rebels v Dunedin playing in front of no one in Tarneit is also fanciful thinking. The drop in value to Ch9 is principally the number of ppl who drop the Stan sub if the Rebels fold (I dont know what that number is). There...

True, but there's still broader issues IMO. - Talent ID is a big one - too many powerful players with low footy IQ (Pietsch, Perese, Gleeson). - Need a 9 who passes off the deck. Gordon has an excellent exit box kick, but is taking so much time off his 10 because he can't pass off the deck...

100%. The wallabies are the golden goose. Buying a Stan subscription is quite binary, so am not convinced that cutting a super team will materially reduce the value of the broadcast rights. Cutting a team is better than cutting the cap. If RA can save $4m p.a. by cutting 1 team (who if...

It doesn't. A $30m equity cheque to pay off $22m of debt to prop up a franchise with minimal cultural relevance to play a beleagured competition in a niche sport on the outskirts of a city with 20+ other professional provincial sporting teams. It's a tricky one - both a cost and revenue problem...

Agree with this. I think with McReight at 7, and Frost likely at 4, more girth is required at 6/8 or we'll get scrummed / mauled to death. Balance works well for Brums with Hooper at 7, Cale at 8.

I expect so too. Was outstanding amongst his Aus peers, including as a scrummager. But the point that he's been blooded 2/3 years before he is ready (as are many other super rugby forwards) stands.

Don't think Hodgeman is eligible until Nov 24 unfortunately. Otherwise, mine would look fairly similar: 1. Slipper / Bell / Schoupp 2. Faessler / Porecki / Lonergan 3. Ala'alatoa / Tupou / Talakai 4. Frost / Holloway 5. Neville / Salakaia-Loto 6. Swinton / Hooper 7. McReight 8. Valetini / Wilson...

Will not solve for poor crowds/engagement in Melb (probably would make worse), but a couple of games in Apia could sell out. Pros: - Maintain presence in largest Aus city which is helpful for broadcast revs. - Potentially cost efficient solution for RA if Vic gov and/or World Rugby co-fund...

Some talk of a Rebels-Moana merger out of Melbourne with World Rugby funding invilved. Could Melbourne Pasifika be a neat solution and solve problems for both RA & NZR? Any chance of cut through? Appreciate die hard rebels fans will hate it, but frankly they've seem to run a Pasifika first...

I think Jahrome Browne might be the man by the end of 2024 if he stays fit. More abrasive than Wright and McReight. Better suited to test rugby IMO.

2024 Wallabies - Projected Squad: 1. Bell / Slipper / Vella 2. BPA / Porecki / Nasser 3. Ala'alatoa / Tupou / De Lutiis 4. Rodda / Frost 5. Skelton / Salakai-Loto 6. Hooper / Holloway 7. Gamble / Gleeson 8. Valetini / Wilson 9. McDermott / Lonergan 10. Gordon / Pasitoa 11. Jorgenson /...

Anyone else swinging off Glen Vaihu - Wallaby in waiting for me. Complete footballer. That second try vs Kintetsu broke my ankles 15000km away.

Names seem close but Medrano will play tight head (#3), Pearce loose head (#1) & Rodda most likely tight head lock (#5). O'Donnell has never played much wing, but he may be ahead of Spink by the Ned of 2024 as is a great prospect. Leahy looks a real prospect so will potentially get good game...

Good team. BPA and Rodda definitely good calls if fit and firing. Feel good that one or more of Harrison, Lynagh or Gordon will kick on. Need to prioritise kick skills in selection. For me, Talataina and Flook are a case of when not if for gold. Pasitoa the other young gun with obvious class...

Wallabies vs Wales - July 2024 - Squad 1. Bell / Slipper / Vella 2. Porecki / Nasser / Pollard 3. Ala'alatoa / Tupou / Kautai 4. Frost / Williams 5. Skelton / Salakai-Loto 6. Swinton / Hooper 7. McReight / Reimer 8. Valetini / Talataina 9. McDermott / Lonergan 10. Gordon / Lynagh 11. Kellaway /...

Work has quietened down for the year, so I've put a team of bolters together that I reckon have the potential to come on enough in the next 12 months be in the picture for the world cup - what do you think - any of these blokes a chance?: 1 Kailea / Vella 2 Mafi / Pollard 3 Kautai / Amone 4...

From that selection and from what I saw in the U19's (+ a couple of picks on reputation) I think the strongest XV would look something like: 1. Clark 2. Pearce / Bowron 3. Bloomfield 4. Shaw 5. Maiva / Hicks 6. Halaholo / Slack-Smith 7. Baker 8. Talataina 9. Wilson 10. Bowen /...

Very solid front row options. Mafi > Uelese, Talakai > Eloff, Kailea > Oor for me. Rangi also a very good 3rd choice hooker. Won't have the locks or centres to get the job done on current squad.

So what do we think the best force 23 will be? At the moment, looks like: Robertson / Abra Faiinga'a / Kaitu'u Wagner / Amone Kalapu / MacCauley Rodda Anstee / Slack-Smith Koteka Wells Robertson / Fines Stewart / Hegarty Pulu Kuenzle Makara Mataele Tiatia / Strachan

I think it makes sense. He'll be a good chance of being in the first choice 23 at the Force. Has a nore rounded game that Fines and Prior and a higher ceiling. Would have been clear 3rd choice at tahs with Gordon, Goddard and Wilson as DC's favourites.